Whether you grow your own potatoes or buy them from the store, you want to make sure that they last you as long as possible. There’s nothing worse than going to use your potatoes and finding out they have gone off.
If you store your potatoes correctly they can last for months and still stay fresh. This will stop you from wasting your money on buying more potatoes if you have to throw old potatoes away.
If you grow your own potatoes and you have a big harvest then you will need to keep them fresh so that you can use them gradually over time.
But how should you store potatoes? What are the best containers to store potatoes in? We have put together this useful guide to help you decide how you want to store your potatoes. Keep reading to find out more.
How Should You Store Potatoes?
A lot of people buy potatoes from a store that come in a plastic bag, and they leave the potatoes in the bag. This is a bad idea as it causes the potatoes to sweat.
Some people also store their potatoes in the fridge, but this causes them to go off quickly.
Potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark place. The container you use should be ventilated and the temperature should not drop below 39 degrees fahrenheit.
Make sure that the potatoes aren’t damp and won’t come into contact with water.
Potato Storage Containers
How can you ensure that your potatoes are stored in the correct way and kept cool, dry and in the dark? We have put together this list of the 5 best potato storage containers for you to choose from to help you keep your potatoes fresh.
This is the perfect product for storing potatoes, and it also comes in a set of three with onion and garlic storage bins as well. The containers are made out of metal which helps to keep the potatoes cool and away from the light.
Small holes have been drilled into the tin to keep the potatoes ventilated, but the holes are small enough to prevent unwanted animals or insects from getting to your potatoes. The container can hold up to 10 pounds of potatoes.
This product also comes in a set of three so you can store your onions and garlic safely. The canisters are made out of tin, with a bamboo lid which looks lovely if you have wooden features in your kitchen.
The canisters are stackable to save countertop space. The potato canister can hold up to 8 to 9 pounds of potatoes and has small holes to allow the air to flow, preventing a build up of moisture.
If you have a large amount of potatoes in your home at any one time then you will need a bigger container to keep them in. This product comes with two bags each with 10 pound storage capacity.
You can use them for potatoes or onions to keep your vegetables fresh. They have a blackout lining which keeps out the light to prevent the potatoes from sprouting, and it also absorbs moisture.
Baskets are good for storing potatoes because they are well ventilated. The bamboo basket lid helps to block out the light so that the potatoes don’t sprout.
You don’t have to worry about moisture building up around your potatoes if you keep them in a basket. The basket is 12.7 inches by 11.5 inches by 7.9 inches so you will be able to fit plenty of potatoes in there.
If you grow your own potatoes and you are expecting a big harvest then this could be the perfect product for you. It measures 13.3 inches by 7 inches by 7.8 inches so you can fit a big crop of homegrown potatoes in there.
It has a solid bamboo construction which is very durable yet lightweight. It has holes to ensure that the potatoes stay ventilated. You can also use it for other vegetables like onions.
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Buying Guide
If you aren’t sure which potato storage container is going to be best for you then don’t worry. We have some advice to help you choose the product that is going to best suit your needs.
The first thing you should consider is how many potatoes you need to store at any one time. If you buy your potatoes from a store then you will only need a small potato storage container.
If you buy them from a market or a local potato farmer then you might buy them in bulk, which means you will need more storage space. If you grow your own potatoes then it will depend on how many potato plants you have.
You also need to think about how much space you have in your kitchen or pantry to store your potatoes. If you have a large pantry or kitchen then a big potato storage bin or a large bag could work well.
If you don’t have a lot of space to work with then you might want some smaller, stackable containers to help save worktop space.
You may also want to make sure that the container looks good in your kitchen. If you have a rustic style of kitchen then a tin canister would look great. Wire vegetable baskets look good in modern kitchens.
The potato storage bags are better for kitchens with pantries where they can be stored out of the way.
Things To Remember About Storing Potatoes
The container you choose must be aerated in some way. This could be a breathable bag or a solid container with air holes. The potatoes must be kept ventilated or they will become moist and ruin.
If you are using a potato storage bag, make sure it has a moisture absorbing lining. Don’t leave your potatoes anywhere where they could become damp, such as in a storage cellar.
Don’t keep your potatoes in the fridge, or anywhere where they will get too cold. They need to be cool, but not cold.
If you keep your potatoes in a garage or outbuilding, you might want to bring them into the kitchen if you are expecting some very cold weather.
Make sure that your potatoes are kept in a dark place. If they are exposed to too much light then they will begin to sprout and they will also go off much faster.
If you choose a storage basket, make sure it has a heavy lid to block out the light from above. If you are worried about light, you can also keep your potato storage container inside a kitchen cupboard.
Summary
Knowing how to store your potatoes and using the right container can help them to stay fresher for longer. This prevents waste and gives you more time to use the potatoes.
If you use our buying guide to choose the right product, your potatoes could stay fresh for several months.
